Time and days in Maltese
Now, later, tomorrow, what time it opens and one moment please. Play the ten Maltese words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Maltese phrases in this lesson
- IssaIS-sa
- Now
- Aktar tardAK-tar tard
- Later
- Illumil-LOOM
- Today
- GħadaA-da
- Tomorrow
- Illejlail-LAY-la
- Tonight
- Meta?MEH-ta
- When?
- X'ħin jiftaħ?sh-HEEN YIF-tah
- What time does it open?
- Mument, jekk jogħġbokmoo-MENT, yek yo-OJ-bok
- One moment, please
- Minutimi-NOO-tee
- Minutes
- SiegħatSEE-at
- Hours
Short and emphatic. "Issa" can mean "now" or "right now" depending on tone. Said twice ("issa issa") it stresses immediacy. Locals use it constantly in conversation as a filler and affirmer.
"Aktar" means "more" and "tard" means "late", so literally "more late". In practice it just means "later". Maltese social time is relaxed; "aktar tard" can mean anything from an hour to the next day.
From the Semitic root meaning "the day". One of the most frequently used time words in daily conversation. "Illum filgħodu" means "this morning" and "illum filgħaxija" means "this evening".
The "għ" is near-silent, so this word sounds like a short "ada". Stress falls lightly on the first syllable. Essential for making plans, booking tours, or discussing opening hours.